Abstract
Numerous studies indicated that the prevalence of certain alleles of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) vary across different ethnic groups. Under adverse environmental conditions, these alleles can increase the risk of developing psychiatric symptoms. Thus, we hypothesized that the prevalence of the DRD2 gene Taq IA allele may serve to explain the horrific behaviours practiced by the Nazi regime. Hitler's 'Brain Washing' methods goaded his followers to carry out genocide at a time when carriers of the DRD2 TaqIA allele (the so called 'aggressive--genotype') were significantly higher among the Aryan Germans compared to resident German Jews. It would be of interest, to genotype the Jewish Holocaust survivors, to determine whether those with the Taq AI allele survived in greater numbers. The hypothesis being that, greater survival may result in enhanced frequency of not only the DRD2 AI allele but other reward gene polymorphisms among survivors. Understanding the molecular genetics of any population in terms of reward dependence and subsequent behaviours will be most beneficial in future human interaction whether negative (war) or positive (peace) in nature.
Highlights
While there have been many disciplines represented in genocide studies especially those related to the Holocaust, little has been done with regard to the widely explosive field of Omics
Just as Berel Lang argued that the contribution of professional philosophers to genocide studies could be quite significant [3], we suggest here that moleculargenetic antecedents may contribute to understanding the atrocities that occurred under the Nazi regime
We are hereby proposing that based on this knowledge regarding molecular genetics and potential links to certain behaviours including drug seeking, aggression and even homicide in different ethnic groups we propose, the higher prevalence of the DRD2 AI, the more likely is the tendency to display these behavioural characteristics
Summary
Limited by the absence of DRD2 Taq AI allele genotyping among the Jewish Holocaust survivors as well as the Nazis SS soldiers we can only hypothesize, based on recent studies in human and animal models, about the link between genetic predisposition and the horrific behaviours perpetrated during the Holocaust. It would be important to genotype holocaust surviving Jews across the world to determine whether there has been an enhanced frequency of the DRD2AI allele but other reward genes, including serotonin, endorphin, GABA and other dopamine polymorphisms [43, 44, 45]. Finding such an enhanced frequency may not provide all the answers especially when you consider the environmental-epigenetic psychological factors including “brain washing” as a precursor for extermination practiced in the Nazi regime. While there is a plethora of evidence for Hitler’s brain washing and resultant devastation of all Germans, [46] understanding the molecular genetics of any population in terms of reward dependence and subsequent behaviour will be most beneficial in future human interaction, both when negative and positive in nature [47]
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